(The real names of the people below have been changed.)
For the first time, I leaned in during our dedication of merit, the part of the meditation session where we dedicate our sit to someone or something.
“I’d like to dedicate the merits of my practice to those who have shown me kindness and compassion. We often forget that in a jungle of hurtful people, there are those who still help.”
I didn’t say it exactly like that. I never speak as clearly as I write, but I finally spoke out because I meant what I said.
Most of my life, I’ve focused on negative people. I’ve often referred to them as “my enemies”. I thought that if these people were not in the picture, I would feel respected and understood.
My Buddhist reverend stresses the importance of compassion, reinforces it through repetition. It took years of going to practice for it to finally seep in. People have been compassionate to me, and I only wanted more from everyone.
Pam was the only person who talked to me in high school without me having to open up first.
Albert helped me when I was trying to make a movie. I wanted to be known as a young man.
Donna invited me to a party at age 23 when I hadn’t been invited to one in years.
Tanya set me up on a date when I couldn’t even get a hello from a woman.
Gabriel helped me be more confident about myself when I did get more dates.
Professor Dan sat me down and helped me set up this blog.
Ellen is my friend today and is always on the lookout for potential career contacts.
Mom and Dad did so much that they cannot be thanked enough.
I can’t owe it all to mediation. Meditation was the tool. I chose meditation because there was something in it, something I needed to sharpen my awareness and love of myself. I helped Marc first. Then, the door of perception opened and allowed me to see the things I needed see at the pace that I could bear.
I don’t know how I made the choice to help myself. Somethings will always remain a mystery.
Mavthewriter 